Back To One - Producing, Directing and Acting in NYC

FINDING PERFECTION THROUGH ART AND BEING THE BEST YOU CAN BE. An interview with filmmaker Shantell Cargle

2012-02-10T01:55:00.002-05:00

By Van Dirk Fisher

Sometimes life imitates art and sometimes we discover how to be true to ourselves through our art. When Shantell Cargle came across an ad for The Video Diaries Project, she had recently got out of an unhealthy relationship, which caused her to put a lot of her dreams and aspirations on hold. She had decided it was time for her to get back to doing the things that she loved to do like acting and filmmaking. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan and spent her whole adulthood living in New York City. She fell in love with the city and never left. Acting was her first love and she grew to love making films as well. So combining the two worlds was very exciting to her.

As an actress she discovered that she wanted to have more control of the stories that were being told and the type of characters she was auditioning for, so she decided to go to Hunter College, where she received a B.A. in film studies. After graduation she just picked up a camera and started shooting. “I made a bunch of mistakes, but I also learned a lot in the process just by jumping in head first! As for inspiration I think its everywhere, on the subway, walking down the street….there are so many places where you can study people and situations, through that you discover art,” says Shantell.

Working on the documentary FINDING PERFECTION THROUGH ART with Christina Weathersby, her co-filmmaker, has been amazing. “I try to let the subjects mold what the story will be,” says Shantell. “Sometimes you have to shoot a lot of footage before you find your angle, which is different from scripted films.”

“The Video Diaries Project is exciting to me,” says Shantell. “Because I can personally relate to many of the struggles that the playwright, Rebekah L. Pierce addresses in her play Perfect. I am a female who is at war with my feelings toward family and husband versus career. I think many women have similar concerns and issues in our society that is never really addressed by the public at large. I wanted to be able to understand the characters as well as the actors in the play. This allowed me to get some really good insight on how to approach the documentary.”

In addition, working on the project will hopefully shed some light on these issues and in time help to bring some resolve to many people who struggle with the choices they make concerning their career and relationships. You shouldn’t have to choose. But I think Ms. Cargle said it best when she said, “I just want people to know that you should never give up on your dreams, but that you also have to put the work, time, and effort into bringing them into fruition. If you focus on what you really want, you will start to see progress and change in your life. I am very grateful to have a wonderful business partner and best friend, as well as an amazing family that continues to encourage and push me to always be the best that I can be.” In a perfect world isn’t that what we all want?

FINDING PERFECTION THROUGH ART: A Documentary by Shantell Cargle and Christina Weathersby
Featuring: Rebekah Lynn Pierce, Gene Hughes, Kyle P. Carter, Lamar K. Cheston, Vanessa Lovestone, Shaunta Macklin, Dawn Speaks, Clarivel Ruiz and Robert Wright
Screenings:

February 22, 2012 at 8PM - Admission: FREE
The Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival
Ripley Grier Studios, 520 Eighth Avenue, 10^th Floor, Studio 10D, NYC
RSVP for Tickets at RiantTheatre@gmail.com

March 3, 2012 & March 4, 2012 at 9PM; Tickets: $15
Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26^th Street, NYC
Between 9^th & 10^th Avenue
For tickets go to http://www.therianttheatre.com/index.php?n=the_video_diaries_project:_a_series

IT’S ABOUT TIME: A Reflection of Life. An interview with filmmaker Miguel LaCruz

2012-02-10T01:46:00.001-05:00

By Van Dirk Fisher

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression: “What doesn’t kill you in life will only make you stronger.” There’s something liberating about that---the circle of life---the evolution of life. A seed is planted. A flower grows. It endures changes in the weather conditions and eventually dies, but there is a rebirth and another seed is planted and the cycle continues. Through time man has discovered that in the end everything will be all right. Life goes on.

Filmmaker Miguel LaCruz, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, who has been living in Brooklyn for the past 5 years remembers always being really interested in still pictures. “For me the idea of freezing a moment in time, its magic,” says Miguel. “In high school I had the opportunity to make a fiction short film and from that moment I fell in love with video/film making.”

A graduate of Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela, Miguel received a degree in Social Communications. In New York, he attended The School of Visual Arts to take a course in “Creating A Documentary Film.” I asked him where does he get his inspiration to make films and he said, “My inspiration usually comes from life itself and its injustices. I love the whole idea of documentaries. Some of my favorites that have inspired me are: FOOD, Inc, Gas Land and Dirt, The Movie.”

Every job experience has shaped the type of filmmaker he is today; from the technical aspects to the human side of his career. Working on the Video Diaries Project has been exhilarating for Mr. LaCruz. He’s no stranger to making documentaries, but this is the first time he has had the freedom to make all of the decisions. What drew him to work on the VDP is his desire “to look deep into the life of this group of young artists rehearsing the play IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING by Liz Magee, and to show their personal life from another point of view.” Would he do it all again? You bet! “It was a great experience,” says LaCruz. “The relationship between the cast and me was very organic and the flow of the production was amazing.”

That’s the beauty of it all---the process. Sometimes we can miss out on the little things in life by not living in the moment and relishing the experience from beginning to end. When the film is over and the credits have rolled, LaCruz hopes to leave his audience “with mix feelings; this documentary it’s a reflection of life,” says LaCruz. “When you go through beautiful moments, but also very sad ones. But the most important message is that every situation you confront in your life makes you stronger.” And I’m sure we will all agree after seeing his film it was well worth the journey.

IT’S ABOUT TIME A Short Film by Miguel LaCruz
Featuring: Liz Magee, MIchael Kinnan, Brittany Molnar, Sam Finger, Courtney Macneil and Thomas Heddrick.
Screenings:

February 22, 2012 at 8PM - FREE
The Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival
Ripley Grier Studios, 520 Eighth Avenue, 10^th Floor, Studio 10D, NYC
RSVP for Tickets at RiantTheatre@gmail.com

March 3, 2012 & March 4, 2012 at 9PM Tickets: $15
Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26^th Street, NYC
Between 9^th & 10^th Avenue
For tickets go to http://www.therianttheatre.com/index.php?n=the_video_diaries_project:_a_series

From the Page to the Stage: Exploring the Director’s Task By Jane Rubinsky

2012-02-03T09:02:00.001-05:00

The best plays reveal their significance gradually, like life: unfolding layers of complexity and meaning that shift and grow as they move toward a denouement, resonating long after the curtain has fallen. Directors whose own lives are multi-layered have an advantage as they set out to probe the subtleties of these plays, whether their own work or someone else’s.

“There’s a wonderful essay by Harold Clurman in a book called Directors on Directing, says Laurence C. Schwartz, who will direct his play Vengeance Once-Removed to open the Riant Theatre’s season of the Strawberry One-Act Festival on March 1, 2012 at 7PM at the Hudson Guild Theater, 441 West 26^th Street, NYC. “The essay explores the potential traps a playwright can fall into, should he or she direct his own piece. Sometimes when you’re writing, you can hear the voices in your head; you can hear the intonations, picture the dramatic arcs and the emotional roller-coaster. And that’s okay. But to bring that to rehearsal already in your mind, without letting the play grow naturally in rehearsals, is something you need to watch out for,” he says. “Directing someone else’s play, you can bring a fresher perspective; you don’t have as many preconceptions. It’s easier to be more spontaneous in rehearsals.”

Schwartz has plenty of experience doing both, not to mention acting and writing. He got his Equity card (and a good review in the New York Times) barely a year and a half out of Boston University, where he studied theater performance. Schwartz’s first full-length play, Artaud for Awhile—an edgy work imagining an encounter between the French aesthetician Antonin Artaud and the rock musician Jim Morrison—ran at the Wings Theater in 1997 and was one of the Village Voice’s picks. For last summer’s Strawberry One-Act Festival, Schwartz directed Rick Charles Mueller’s With the Assistance of Queen Anne, but his association with SOAF goes back all the way to 2000, when he first appeared in several plays before submitting his own. “I think Standing on Ceremony is the most well-rounded and satisfying so far; it all came together,” he says. The work, which he wrote and directed for the Winter 2011 season, dealt with old-fashioned schoolyard bullying.

His current offering is Vengeance Once-Removed, about a young man falsely arrested who visits his accuser after the charges against him have been dropped. “I’ve always had a good ear for dialogue,” says Schwartz, who earned a master’s degree at Hunter and now teaches cultural theory and speech communication at Medgar Evers Collge, Mercy College, and Touro College. “But what separates this play from the others is that it's less about the words and more about where the action is, what the dramatic stakes are,” he says. “I think it says a lot about sexuality, as well as interracial relationships. It's a disturbing piece ... and my hope is that it will be very difficult to watch, and very suspenseful.”

Liz Amadio, who directed George Cameron Grant's play Push for SOAF last summer, returns to direct his Foreclosure this season (March 1, 2012 at 9PM at the Hudson Guild Theatre), exploring how choices resonate and sometimes come back to haunt us. “We all have circumstances in our lives where we need to make decisions that are really spiritual catharses we have to work out,” she says. “We don't have the script in life; we don't have the whole picture or know what happens on the last page. All we can do is look over the situation, make the best choice with the information we have, and hope that we've made a good decision.”

Studying psychology and dance at Temple University, Amadio intended to pursue a career in dance therapy before she turned to acting, writing, and directing. “People who resonate toward psychology are really interested in the psyche, emotions and spirit, in what makes you tick,” she says. “It's not really very different, whether you're an actor exploring a character, or a director guiding actors to explore the characters they're going to play.”

Amadio, a playwright herself, spends “a lot of time with exploration and backstory, to feed the actors as many layers as I can. I don't believe in minor characters; everyone has an arc,” she says. The main challenge of a director is creating “a safe and trusting environment where the actors are free to explore their own internal life” to find the motivations of a character.

Foreclosure is a play that will be meaningful for everyone, believes Amadio. “It's so timely in terms of what's happening with the global economy.” But the one thing she hopes people will take away is the notion that it's impossible to interpret what's good and bad in life. “Some of the worst things that happen to us often turn out to be catalysts for the most growth and development,” she says.

The Riant Theatre’s Strawberry One-Act Festival
Vengeance Once-Removed by Laurence C. Schwartz
March 1, 2012 at 7PM;

Foreclosure by George Cameron Grant
March 1, 2012 at 9PM;
Hudson Guild Theater, 441 West 26^th St, NYC

Tickets: $22 online; $25 at the Box Office
www.therianttheatre.com or 646-623-3488

The Video Diaries Project: A Series Of Short Films About The Artists In The Strawberry One-Act Festival

2012-02-03T08:16:00.003-05:00

The Video Diaries Project: A Series of Short Films About The Artists In The Strawberry One-Art Festival; Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 8PM. FREE Admission. At Ripley Grier Studios, 520 Eighth Avenue, 10 Floor, Studio 10D, NYC. Between 36th & 37th Street. RSVP at RiantTheatre@gmail.com. For the VIP Cocktail Reception at 6:30-8:00PM Tickets: $20 Online; $25 at the Door. Buy Now at http://www.therianttheatre.com/item.php?id=124

Encore Series: PUSH, CROSSING VERRAZANO & IT'S GREEK TO ME

2012-02-03T08:03:00.000-05:00

THE ENCORE SERIES: 3 POWERFUL PLAYS from the Strawberry One-Act Festival Season 20. March 2nd @ 9PM, March 4th @ 5PM at the HUDSON GUILD THEATRE, 441 West 26th St, NYC.
For Tickets go to http://www.therianttheatre.com/index.php?n=encore_series:_push___crossing_verr

2012-01-25T03:52:00.001-05:00

Save the Date February 22, 2012 at 8PM for the Screening of The Video Diaries Project: An In Depth Look at the Artists in the Strawberry One-Act Festival http://ping.fm/tA4vZ

2012-01-03T15:08:00.001-05:00

Now on iTunes: If I Follow My Dreams check it out. http://ping.fm/EUwKw

2012-01-03T14:58:00.001-05:00

The song: IF I FOLLOW MY DREAMS (NO MORE GAMES) is now available on Amazon.com check it out http://ping.fm/oovsi

Song: IF I FOLLOW MY DREAMS (NO MORE GAMES) Music & Lyrics by Van Dirk Fisher on YouTube

2011-12-28T13:44:00.002-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF1GVDKhZvM. The song IF I FOLLOW MY DREAMS (NO MORE GAMES) Music, Lyrics & Vocal Arrangements by Van Dirk Fisher and Featuring Joseff Goodwin & Bianca M. Gonzalez, is a celebration for anyone who has been lucky enough to have found that special love that's unconditional with NO MORE GAMES. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have in writing it.

You can download the song (mp3) at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/joseffgoodwinbiancagoodw

2011-12-23T15:26:00.001-05:00

Check out this cool Music Video now on Youtube: If I Follow My Dreams (No More Games) http://ping.fm/6tnsy

2011-12-19T12:09:00.001-05:00

The song IF I FOLLOW MY DREAMS (No More Games), music & lyrics by Van Dirk Fisher is now available for you to listen to and buy at http://ping.fm/xG96e All proceeds will benefit the Youth Empowerment Awards. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

2011-12-14T23:24:00.001-05:00

CASTING NOTICE FOR SOAF Winter 2012 for the play, "Vengeance Once-Removed"

Seeking an very young actress to play the part of:
Destiny Rushmore: African-American, 9 years old, sweet, loveable little girl.

It is a small part and the character enters towards the end of the play and has about a little under one page of dialogue.
Rehearsals will be in Manhattan and I would guess there will three or four hours needed for the actress playing Destiny.
Performance date is Thursday evening, March 1st, with the possibility of more performances.
PAY
contact Laurence Schwartz at: 212-627-9205, 646-247-2551, or lschwartz106@aol.com

2011-12-10T17:09:00.001-05:00

Exciting about my listening party tonight at 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette Street, 4th Floor, Black Box Theatre. Donations: $10. New single: IF I FOLLOW MY DREAMS, featuring Joseff Goodwin, Bianca Gonzalez, Rickens Anantua & Lesley Shannon. Hope to see you there!

2011-12-05T16:53:00.001-05:00

Join us at the Listening Party & Filming for the new single IF I FOLLOW MY DREAMS (No More Games) featuring Joseff Goodwin & Bianca Gonzales, Sat 12/10 @ 8pm @ 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette Street, 4th Fl. Tickets @ www.therianttheatre.com/index.php?n=listening_party_for_the_new_single_

2011-11-23T05:01:00.001-05:00

I had an exciting recording session with Joseff, Bianca, Leslie, Rickens & Laura. Thanks guys, can't wait 2 share the song with the world, Van. Stay tuned...

2011-10-23T23:04:00.001-04:00

Toe Jam Beats | Toe Jam Beats: Hittin' It Like It's Hot! | CD Baby http://ping.fm/N46NF

2011-10-22T22:21:00.001-04:00

The Riant Theatre is casting for a film. Shooting on Sunday, October 30th. Seeking non-union African-American or Caribbean actress to play a Tarot Card Reader. Send picture and resume to RiantTheatre@gmail.com. No pay, but will provide a clip for reel when film is done. Also looking for hip-hop dancers. Please send pictures and/or YouTube links of you performing.

2011-10-17T20:03:00.001-04:00

The Strawberry One-Act Festival is accepting submissions of plays. Deadline Oct 30th. To download an application go to http://ping.fm/A0ReS

2011-10-17T19:55:00.001-04:00

Toe Jam Beats | Toe Jam Beats: Hittin' It Like It's Hot! | CD Baby http://ping.fm/lNjpI

Joseff Goodwin | Be There | CD Baby

2011-10-17T19:50:00.000-04:00

Joseff Goodwin | Be There | CD Baby
Check out our Alumni Joseff Goodwin. His single is available on CD Baby. Show some love and buy it.

2011-10-10T22:06:00.001-04:00

BED STUY 3RD FL 3 BEDROOM APT. QUIET BROWNSTONE. NEWLY RENOVATED KITCHEN, NEW APPLIANCES, CERAMIC & HARDWOOD FLOORS. UTILITIES NOT INCLUDED. HIGH CEILINGS, 2 FIREPLACES. AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. 1 MO RENT + 2 MOS SECURITY- $75.00 SEC. CHECK FEE. NEAR A, C & J LINES. $1,500.00 PER MO. CALL OWNER 917-640-5731
Read more: http://ping.fm/fFGs9
http://ping.fm/P25gS

2011-10-05T18:25:00.001-04:00

I just saw Voca People at the Westside Theatre/Upstairs. Loved it! I laughed & smiled the entire show. You've got to see it! Their voices are incredible!

New Dimensions and Horizons: The Strawberry One-Act Festival Like You've Never Seen Before

2011-09-28T18:09:00.001-04:00

By Van Dirk Fisher

Every time I begin to work on the Strawberry One-Act Festival I ask myself, “What can I do to make it better and provide more exposure for the playwrights, directors and actors?” This year I was inspired by one of our alumni, Phil Reissman, who invited me to see a screening of his play that was once in the festival. Well I had to attend. I was honored to be invited and very proud of his accomplishment. It was not too long after that that my wheels started turning. I’ve always wanted to present the festival on television as a reality show and allow our viewers to see the process that the artists go through to produce their play for the festival. In the past we’ve streamed the plays online for viewers to watch them online and cast their votes and the response was tremendous, but the time element of videotaping them and getting them online on time was challenging. So I’ve decided on a new approach and The Video Diaries Project was born.

Ten filmmakers were selected to participate in the project. Each was allowed to choose the play that they wanted to film and create their documentary. The artists were told to treat the project as a personal diary and to talk about the process they go through to develop their plays. It’s meant to be raw, up close and personal. In the end the filmmaker gets to tell the story from their observation and the end results is something remarkable. I’m very proud of them and welcome any and all attention that can be bestowed on them for having the courage to dream and the will and the tenacity to pursue it.

I’ve always said that all the playwrights are winners by virtue of being selected for the festival. The process of working on their plays, the lessons they learn along the way and the contacts they make with other artists are the real prize. The experience is priceless and the memories I hope they cherish them as fondly as I do.

The Video Diaries Project had a screening at the Tribeca Grand Hotel and at the Time Warner Corporate Head Quarters in NYC. Six of the best films were presented during the festival and an award and cash prize of $500 was presented to the Best Short Film of the Season, ELLEN’S DIARY by Brian Torres. Click here to watch the film. The award was presented on Sunday, August 7^th at 2pm along with the awards for Best Play, UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton, who received $1,500 and a development deal to have a full length play produced by the Riant Theatre, Best Director, ROB DRAKE (photo right) for Wait And See What Happens by Alison Costello, Best Actor, DENNIS BRITO for Paid Off by Robert D. Argen, Best Actress, BELLE CAPLIS for Unexpected Company by Wendy Mae Shelton.

Jane Rubinsky (photo right with playwright Arlene Corsano) joined the Riant Theatre this past summer as a contributing writer for The Riant Theatre Review, which featured articles about the artists in the festival. The festival was presented at the Hudson Guild Theatre and we were blessed with plays submitted from as far away as Australia (The Flowers Don’t Grow Here Anymore by Josie Parrelli) to Utah (Horst and Graben at the Chateau Godot by Jeffrey Gold); to Vermont (The Oasis by Andrew Fridae); to Connecticut (The Prenup by Charles Gershman); to San Francisco (Love For Beginners by Cesar Abella); to Maryland (Butterfly by Trish Cole); and finally to New York (Paid Off by Robert D. Argen). There was a wide array of topics addressed in the festival plays. Our next festival will be at the Hudson Guild Theatre and run from March 1^st through March 11, 2012.

The festival is currently accepting submissions for the festival. The deadline is October 30, 2011 and you may download the application by visiting our website at www.therianttheatre.com or by emailing us at RiantTheatre@gmail.com.

We are holding a competition for the Best Theme Song for the Strawberry One-Act Festival. You can download an application from our website for details on how to enter. The prize of $250 will be presented at the Awards Ceremony on March 11, 2012. Click here to hear the winner of the BestTheme Song from 2011 – IT’S STRAWBERRY TIME by Andrew Fridae and Daniel Brian Jones.

At the Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival we presented the PIONEER OF THE ARTS AWARD to Broadway Producer, ALDO SCROFANI, (Photo Right) 2005 Tony Award Best Musical DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (Nominee), Screenwriter, GERALYN LUCAS, (Photo Right: Center) WHY I WORE LIPSTICK TO MY MASTECTOMY - Lifetime Network, and JEWEL KINCH-THOMAS, (Photo Right: Right) Executive & Artistic Director of Riverside Theatre, and NY Family Arts Festival. The award ceremony was followed by a panel discussion with the honorees.

A special thanks to our staff and interns who helped make the event a success. (MJ Savasana, Chloe Glickman, Van Dirk Fisher (Artistic Director), Boncellia Lewis (Singer), Jarvis Chapman, Anaridia Burgos, Elvin Greene and Carolyn Canty.)

Souvenir mugs and Strawberry One-Act Festival t-shirts are available for purchase on our website as well www.therianttheatre.com. You can also buy our latest anthology THE BEST PLAYS FROM THE STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL: Volume Six. It’s a good read. For those of you who are into steamy romance novels filled with suspense, you will enjoy my novel LOVING YOU. It’s available www.therianttheatre.com and www.amazon.com.

Photo of Playwrights & Directors at the Launch Party.

Interview with Erica Lustig and Abigail Taylor

2011-08-18T00:30:00.000-04:00

There Has To Be A Little Angel from the musical Rock-A My Soul by Van Di...

2011-08-18T00:27:00.000-04:00

Ellen's Diary by Brian Torres, Winner of the Best Short Film in the Vide...

2011-08-17T22:41:00.000-04:00

Karen Page interview Brian Torres, winner of the Best Short Film Award

2011-08-17T13:42:00.000-04:00

Best Play Award Presentation at the Summer 2011 Strawberry One-Act Festival

2011-08-17T13:38:00.000-04:00

Best Short Film Award Presentation at the Strawberry One-Act Festival Su...

2011-08-17T13:36:00.000-04:00

Best Director Award for the Summer 2011 Strawberry One-Act Festival

2011-08-17T13:34:00.000-04:00

The Best Actor Award Presentation at the Summer 2011 Strawberry One-Act ...

2011-08-17T13:32:00.000-04:00

Best Actress Award at the Summer 2011 Awards Ceremony for the Strawberry...

2011-08-17T13:30:00.000-04:00

The Awards Show for the Summer 2011 for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

2011-08-17T13:28:00.000-04:00

Karen Page interviews the winners of the Strawberry One-Act Festival 201...

2011-08-17T13:18:00.000-04:00

Karen Page interviews Best Director Nominee Liz Amadio and Best Actress ...

2011-08-17T13:16:00.000-04:00

Karen Page interviews Will Budnikov, Best Actor Nominee for the Strawber...

2011-08-17T13:15:00.001-04:00

Karen Page interviews Juson Williams, Best Actor Nominee for the Strawbe...

2011-08-17T13:15:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The 2012 Reflections on Theatre Retreat

2011-08-10T10:57:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The 2012 Reflections on Theatre Retreat

(April 6 – April 14, 2012)

The Retreat gathers writers and actors to join with their peers to foster excellence through mutual support. You will relax on the French Riviera in an elegant Mediterranean environment in a Villa designed for comfort that includes all meals. There will be tours to some of the surrounding cities like Cannes, where you can enjoy the shops, cinema and museums. Also there will be structured workshops and gatherings to stimulate creativity. But more importantly you will enjoy an abundant time to write, reflect and connect with other artists while you develop a project or improve your acting skills. Workshops will be conducted by Van Dirk Fisher, Founder & Artistic Director of the Riant Theatre and Rick Mueller, Founder of Pride not Prejudice.

Registration: $450.00

Room & Board: From $3,500 – $5,500 (based on room and occupancy)

By application only.

Click here to download an application

Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards Summer 2011

2011-08-08T16:47:00.000-04:00

Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards Summer 2011

Best Play Nominations:

WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS by Alison Costello
Directed by Rob Drake
Featuring: Rick Apicella, Matthew Breunig, Alison Costello, Elizabeth Morris
What are the odds?
PAID OFF by Robert D. Argen
Directed by Robert D. Argen and Julia Frieri
Featuring: Dennis Brito and James Fouhey
”Trust me, I’m a banker.” Wall Street and Main Street collide in this classroom drama about a banker’s struggle to prove his moral worth to his grieving former English teacher.
UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton (Winner of Best Play Award)

The dark side of sisterly love.
MEN IN A BOTTLE by Joseph Lizardi
Three men struggle to keep their jobs as the company tries to bust the Union.

Best Director Nominations:

Liz Amadio (Push)

John Doric (Against The Odds)

Rob Drake (Wait And See What Happens) (Winner of Best Director Award)

Jim Fagan (The Prenup)

Anthony Fusco & Reginald L. Douglas (Crossing Verrazano)

Meghan E. Jones (Unexpected Company)

Best Actor Nominations:

Rolls Andre (Marcus) in Mi Media Naranja

Matt Breunig (Josh) in Wait And See What Happens

Dennis Brito (Mr. Thomas) in Paid Off (Winner of Best Actor Award)

Will Budnikov (Mikos) in It’s Greek To Me

Edward Carnevale (Jay) in Men In A Bottle

Juson Williams (Jesse) in It’s Gonna Work Out Fine

Best Actress Nominations:

Belle Caplis (Angela) in Unexpected Company (Winner of Best Actress Award)

Emma Charap (Eve) in Push

Elizabeth Morris (Clare) in Wait and See What Happens

Gloria Ranta (Ruby) in Butterfly

Jen Taber (Arlene) in Mi Media Naranja

Emmilea Wilson (Meredith) in IT

Best Short Film Nominations:

ELLEN’S DIARY: A Short Film about the artists in Criminal Mischief
Directed by Brian Torres (Winner of Best Short Film Award)
Stoned to the Wall: About the Artists in Crossing Verrazano
Directed by Leslie Ciccone
Strange Faces in Familiar Places: A Look Into ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE
Directed by Chris Zdyrski & Jennifer Marvel
Rose and Arlene: A Songwriter takes the Stage
Directed by Andrew Lewis

Best Theme Song Nominations:

Walking in a Dream was made for The Strawberry One Act Festival Song Competition. Lyrics by Jennifer Marvel Music by Gary Storey
Strawberry Festival by Shelley A. Bromberg
Strawberry One-Act Is On written by Danny and John Passadino - performed by Sheilah Barksdale and Danny Passadino
It's Strawberry Time written by Andrew Fridae and Daniel Brian Jones, with Josh Gulotta and help from Tony Dong (Winner of Best Theme Song Award)

The Riant Theatre : The Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

2011-08-06T23:17:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

The Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival

The four best plays from the Finals will perform. Awards will be given to the Best Play, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Short Film & Best Strawberry Festival Theme Song.

Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets: $27.00 online and $30.00 at the box office.

Best Play Nominations:

WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS by Alison Costello
Directed by Rob Drake
Featuring: Rick Apicella, Matthew Breunig, Alison Costello, Elizabeth Morris
What are the odds?
PAID OFF by Robert D. Argen
Directed by Robert D. Argen and Julia Frieri
Featuring: Dennis Brito and James Fouhey
”Trust me, I’m a banker.” Wall Street and Main Street collide in this classroom drama about a banker’s struggle to prove his moral worth to his grieving former English teacher.
UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton

The dark side of sisterly love.
MEN IN A BOTTLE by Joseph Lizardi
Three men struggle to keep their jobs as the company tries to bust the Union.

Best Director Nominations:

Liz Amadio (Push)

John Doric (Against The Odds)

Rob Drake (Wait And See What Happens)

Jim Fagan (The Prenup)

Anthony Fusco & Reginald L. Douglas (Crossing Verrazano)

Meghan E. Jones (Unexpected Company)

Best Actor Nominations:

Rolls Andre (Marcus) in Mi Media Naranja

Matt Breunig (Josh) in Wait And See What Happens

Dennis Brito (Mr. Thomas) in Paid Off

Will Budnikov (Mikos) in It’s Greek To Me

Edward Camevale (Jay) in Men In A Bottle

Juson Williams (Jesse) in It’s Gonna Work Out Fine

Best Actress Nominations:

Belle Caplis (Angela) in Unexpected Company

Emma Charap (Eve) in Push

Elizabeth Morris (Clare) in Wait and See What Happens

Gloria Ranta (Ruby) in Butterfly

Jen Taber (Arlene) in Mi Media Naranja

Emmilea Wilson (Meredith) in IT

Best Short Film Nominations:

ELLEN’S DIARY: A Short Film about the artists in Criminal Mischief
Directed by Brian Torres
Stoned to the Wall: About the Artists in Crossing Verrazano
Directed by Leslie Ciccone
Strange Faces in Familiar Places: A Look Into ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE
Directed by Chris Zdyrski & Jennifer Marvel
Rose and Arlene: A Songwriter takes the Stage
Directed by Andrew Lewis

Best Theme Song Nominations:

Walking in a Dream was made for The Strawberry One Act Festival Song Competition. Lyrics by Jennifer Marvel Music by Gary Storey
Strawberry Festival by Shelley A. Bromberg
Strawberry One-Act Is On written by Danny and John Passadino - performed by Sheilah Barksdale and Danny Passadino
It's Strawberry Time written by Andrew Fridae and Daniel Brian Jones, with Josh Gulotta and help from Tony Dong

Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards Summer 2011

2011-08-05T06:08:00.001-04:00

Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards Summer 2011

The Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards will be presented on Sunday, August 7th at 2pm at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC.

The Nominees for BEST PLAY are: (They will be posted Saturday Evening)

1.
2.
3.
4.

Best Director Nominations:

Liz Amadio (Push)
John Doric (Against The Odds)
Rob Drake (Wait And See What Happens)
Jim Fagan (The Prenup)
Anthony Fusco & Reginald L. Douglas (Crossing Verrazano)
Meghan E. Jones (Unexpected Company)

Best Actor Nominations:

Rolls Andre (Marcus) in Mi Media Naranja
Matt Breuig (Josh) in Wait And See What Happens
Dennis Brito (Mr. Thomas) in Paid Off
Will Budnikov (Mikos) in It’s Greek To Me
Edward Camevale (Jay) in Men In A Bottle
Juson Williams (Jesse) in It’s Gonna Work Out Fine

Best Actress Nominations:

Belle Caplis (Angela) in Unexpected Company
Emma Charap (Eve) in Push
Elizabeth Morris (Clare) in Wait and See What Happens
Gloria Ranta (Ruby) in Butterfly
Jen Taber (Arlene) in Mi Media Naranja
Emmilea Wilson (Meredith) in IT

The Riant Theatre : The Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

2011-08-04T01:36:00.001-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

The Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

The Best plays from the Semi-Finals & The Wild Night
Friday, August 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. and
Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

The plays will be posted as they advance to the Finals.

There will be a reception during intermission.

1. IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE by Arlene Corsano (A Musical) (From Semi-Finals #5)
Music & Lyrics by Rose Marie McCoy
Music Director: Regan Ryzuk; Director: Elizabeth Falk

Featuring: Lucinda Carr, Sheila Jones, Margaret Leone, Christopher Gillard, Jermaine Risby, Juson Williams.
The inspiring story of one of the most prolific songwriters you never heard of, Rose Marie McCoy, featuring songs she wrote for the hottest Rhythm & Blues singer of the 1950’s and Elvis Presley, the singer who turned Rhythm & Blues to Rock ‘n’ Roll.

2. AGAINST THE ODDS by Douglas Cion (From Semi-Finals #1)
Directed by John Dorcic
Featuring: Christopher Tully and Douglas Cion
With seven billion people on the planet, what are the odds?

3. THE PRENUP by Charles Gershman (Tied from Semi-Finals #2)
A caricature of coupledom in which a young man’s marriage proposal unravels.

4. PAID OFF by Robert D. Argen (Tied from Semi-Finals #2)
Directed by Robert D. Argen and Julia Frieri
Featuring: Dennis Brito and James Fouhey
”Trust me, I’m a banker.” Wall Street and Main Street collide in this classroom drama about a banker’s struggle to prove his moral worth to his grieving former English teacher.

5. WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS by Alison Costello (From Semi-Finals #3)
Directed by Rob Drake
Featuring: Rick Apicella, Matthew Breunig, Alison Costello, Elizabeth Morris
What are the odds?

6. MEN IN A BOTTLE by Joseph Lizardi (From Semi-Finals #4)
Three men struggle to keep their jobs as the company tries to bust the Union.

7. UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton (From Semi-Finals #6)
The dark side of sisterly love.

8. PAINTED WHITE WITH A BOW by Edward Versailles (From Wild Night #1)
A groom has cold feet on the way to his wedding.

9. PRESS SEVEN Written & Directed by Sam Reisman (From Wild Night #2)
A mysterious voicemail threatens the sanity of two men.

Plays Moving To The Finals Are:

2011-08-02T02:31:00.003-04:00

Friday, August 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. and
Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

The plays will be posted as they advance to the Finals.

There will be a reception during intermission.

1. IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE by Arlene Corsano (A Musical) (From Semi-Finals #5)

Music & Lyrics by Rose Marie McCoy
Music Director: Regan Ryzuk; Director: Elizabeth Falk

2. AGAINST THE ODDS by Douglas Cion (From Semi-Finals #1)
Directed by John Dorcic
Featuring: Christopher Tully and Douglas Cion
With seven billion people on the planet, what are the odds?

3. THE PRENUP by Charles Gershman (Tied from Semi-Finals #2)

A caricature of coupledom in which a young man’s marriage proposal unravels.

7. UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton (From Semi-Finals #6)
Directed by Meghan Jones
The dark side of sisterly love.

8. PAINTED WHITE WITH A BOW by Edward Versailles (From Wild Night #1)
A groom has cold feet on the way to his wedding.

9. PRESS SEVEN Written & Directed by Sam Reisman (From Wild Night #2)
A mysterious voicemail threatens the sanity of two men.

Plays Moving To The Wild Night #1 & #2

2011-08-01T13:29:00.000-04:00

Wild Night at the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

The Artistic Director selects a few plays and gives them one more chance to compete for a slot in The Finals.

Wild Night #1 - August 4th at 7:00 p.m.

1. THY NEIGHBOR by Jeanne Chenault Porter
Who is your neighbor? Even in small-town America can you be sure?

2. PAINTED WHITE WITH A BOW by Edward Versailles
A groom has cold feet on the way to his wedding.

3. THE WOMAN WILL GET HURT!

Written & Directed by John Passadino
Featuring: Sheilah Barksdale, Vincent Compono & Laura Parrella.
A man is unexpectedly brought to trial for allegedly breaking the rules of a relationship.

4. it by Sean Pomposello

a strange technician from i.t. makes an eager young female executive pay for dotting her i’s and crossing her t’s.

5. THE FLOWERS DON’T GROW HERE ANYMORE
Written by Josie Parrelli
Two couples memorializing the death of a loved one suddenly changes gears when one of them has a grudge to bear.

Wild Night #2 - August 4th at 9:00 p.m.

1. PRESS SEVEN Written & Directed by Sam Reisman
A mysterious voicemail threatens the sanity of two men.

2. A CHILDREN’S PLAY by Christopher-Rashee’ Stevenson
Meet mother and father.

3. LOST IN THE FIRE Written & Directed by Chance Parker
Choreography by Shalewa Mackall
Love, Lust & Passion!

4. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF by Ellen Orchid
He was a great boyfriend. Until his wife showed up.

The Video Diaries Project: A Series Of Short Films - Finals, Saturday, August 6th at 7pm

2011-08-01T02:30:00.003-04:00

The Video Diaries Project: A Series Of Short Films - Saturday, August 6th at 7pm
At The Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC

Strange Faces in Familiar Places: A Look Into ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE
Directed by Chris Zdyrski & Jennifer Marvel
Rose and Arlene: A Songwriter takes the Stage
Directed by Andrew Lewis
Stoned to the Wall: About the Artists in Crossing Verrazano
Directed by Leslie Ciccone

Queen Anne, Unlaced
Director by Stephen Hopkins
ELLEN’S DIARY: A Short Film about the artists in Criminal Mischief
Directed by Brian Torres
Drama 101 - A Course in Catharsis: An introspective look at THE WOMAN WILL GET HURT!
Directed by John Passadino

Tickets are $22 online (Includes reception after screening.)

Plays Moving To The Semi-Finals #5 & #6 Are.....

2011-08-01T02:14:00.000-04:00

Semi Finals #5 (Plays from Series I, J, K & L)
Wednesday, August 3rd at 7:00 pm

1. BLANK by Rachel White
Trapped in a blank marriage and blank apartment, impassioned, histrionic, and lonely Katie embarks on a journey to discover the color that lurks just outside her apartment door.

2. BUTTERFLY by Trish Cole The Newtowne Players Featuring: Gloria Ranta, Missy Bell & Jessica Magno Evocative in the spirit of M. Butterfly, Trish Cole’s Butterfly examines a mother who seeks refuge in an imaginary wildflower field when pushed to confront, from jail, the memories of her relationship with her transgender child. Check out Butterfly on Facebook.

3. IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE by Arlene Corsano (A Musical)
Music & Lyrics by Rose Marie McCoy

Music Director: Regan Ryzuk; Director: Elizabeth Falk

4. PUSH by George Cameron Grant
Directed by Liz Amadio
Featuring: Vincent Bandille, Emma Charap, Ally Gordon, Kacy Hopkins, Francisco Huergo, Ted Kolsby, Hank Morris, Wesley Tunison
What would it take to push you over the edge?
Inspired by true events.

Semi Finals #6 (Plays from Series I, J, K & L)
Wednesday, August 3rd at 9:00 pm

1. THE BARBEQUE by Paul Trupia
Do you really know who your friends are?

2. ELEPHANT ROOM by Silvana Jakich
Directed by Clyde Baldo

Producers: Lucky Pigeon Productions, LCC
Featuring: Silvana Jakich & Seth Abrams
To Love and Destroy.

3. UNEXPECTED COMPANY by Wendy Mae Shelton
The dark side of sisterly love.

4. THE OASIS by Andrew Fridae

Directed by Jon Harper; Producers: GD Productions
Featuring: Mimi Bain, Tony Dong, Andrew Fridae, Jess Guerrero, Josh Gulotta, Daniel Brian Jones, Morgan Whitaker

Rocky’s last judgment takes place in a bar at the Oasis in an unforgiving desert.

The Riant Theatre : The Semi-Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

2011-07-31T01:55:00.001-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Semi-Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011

Semi Finals #3 (Plays from Series E, F, G & H)
Tuesday, August 2nd at 7:00 pm

1. HORST AND GRABEN AT THE CHATEAU GODOT by Jeffrey Gold

Directed by James R. Jaworski
Horst was waiting for his date. Then Graben arrived.

2. LOVE FOR BEGINNERS by Cesar Abella
Most people try to forget their exes when they date new people. Noah likes to bring his exes with him.

3. AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ANGEL ON THE 42^ND STREET PLATFORM
WHILE CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE by Anna Governali

Featuring: Candice Goodluck, Ginger Kearns, Michael McMullan, Victory Chappotin & Michael Borne
As Hunny is sent to save lost a soul that lingers between life and death, who she really meant to save is herself.

4. WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS by Alison Costello
Directed by Rob Drake
Featuring: Rick Apicella, Matthew Breunig, Alison Costello, Elizabeth Morris
What are the odds?

Semi Finals #4 (Plays from Series E,F,G & H)
Tuesday, August 2nd at 9:00 pm

1. THE JEWEL HEIST by Michael J. Cherkezian
Love goes full circle.

2. MEN IN A BOTTLE by Joseph Lizardi
Three men struggle to keep their jobs as the company tries to bust the Union.

3. IT’S GREEK TO ME by Shelley A. Bromberg
Directed by Michael F. Murphy
How do we move on from the loss of a loved one? Is there ever really a good time?

4. WEIGHT by Kerri Campbell Evans
Directed by Larissa Dzegar
Featuring: Melinda Graham, Geiselle Nix-Fauntleroy, and Kerri Campbell Evans
3 Embryos, 2 women & 1 waiting room.

The Plays Moving Into The Semi-Finals Are...

2011-07-29T10:32:00.002-04:00

Semi Finals #1 (Plays from Series A, B, C & D)
Monday, August 1st at 7:00 pm

1. ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE by Jennifer Marvel
Featuring: Dee Cleare, Akua Doku, Helyn Rain Messenger, Kathryn Quigley, Keven Russo, Anthony Jude Setaro
When it comes down to it – the one thing everyone wants in their life is LOVE.

2. AGAINST THE ODDS by Douglas Cion
Directed by John Dorcic
Featuring: Christopher Tully and Douglas Cion
With seven billion people on the planet, what are the odds?

3. CROSSING VERRAZANO by Anthony Fusco
Featuring: Christopher J. Anderson, Bradley LeBoeuf, Joe Kurtz, R.J. Lucci, Matthew Michael Raynor & Nick Spain
Three young men visiting NYC for a weekend of fun, experience an incident they will never forget. What really happened that night? Based on a true story.

4. MI MEDIA NARANJA by Rolls Andre
Directed by Lauren Moran Mills
Featuring: Rolls Andre, Kim Gainer & Jen Taher
After a night of kinky sex gone horribly wrong, a couple of swingers must re-examine their marriage.

Semi Finals #2
(Plays from Series A, B, C & D)
Monday, August 1st at 9:00 pm

1. MERRY MEETING by Jacob Marx Rice
Directed by Rebecca Leifer; Producer: Jonathan Jager
What happens when a man comes home to find his wife having sex with another man, beats that man unconscious and then sits down to have a civilized conversation.

2. PAID OFF by Robert D. Argen
Directed by Robert D. Argen and Julia Frieri
Featuring: Dennis Brito and James Fouhey
”Trust me, I’m a banker.” Wall Street and Main Street collide in this classroom drama about a banker’s struggle to prove his moral worth to his grieving former English teacher.

3. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF QUEEN ANNE by Rick Mueller
Through the interpretation of history two are brought together in love and manipulation!

4. THE PRENUP by Charles Gershman
A caricature of coupledom in which a young man’s marriage proposal unravels.

Click here to buy tickets:
http://www.therianttheatre.com/item.php?id=77

Or call 646-623-3488

The plays selected for the wild night will be posted on Monday, August 1st at Noon.

Video Diaries Journal Entry #2 for LOVE FOR BEGINNERS in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, Saturday, July 30th at 3pm

2011-07-29T02:52:00.000-04:00

Teaser Trailer by Celia Au:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTFE3UvGXOM&feature=player_embedded

"Behind the Scenes/Music featurette" by Amanda B. Goodman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-ZWzBwwhwU&feature=channel_video_title

Check out LOVE FOR BEGINNERS by Cesar Abella in the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival, on Saturday, July 30th at 3pm at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street. For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com

The Video Diaries Project: BUTTERFLY: Stages of Transformation by Trish Cole

2011-07-25T01:08:00.001-04:00

Watch The Video Diaries Project: BUTTERFLY: Stages of Transformation by Trish Cole, one of the Short Documentary Films About the Artists in the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival.

CLICK HERE to buy tickets to see BUTTERFLY in Series J of
The Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival, Sunday, July 31st at 5pm
at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC.
Or call 646-623-3488 for further information.

An Interview with Will Budnikov, Filmmaker of the Short Documentary Film: Greek Delight!, which is part of The Video Diaries Project

2011-07-25T01:00:00.001-04:00

This year I created The Video Diaries Project: A Series of Short Films About the Artists in the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival. Here is an interview I had with Will Budnikov, who is an actor in IT'S GREEK TO ME, and the filmmaker for the Short Documentary Film GREEK DELIGHT!

VF: What inspired you to work on The Video Diaries Project?

Will: Actually, I fell into the project accidentally. Our playwright hired a videographer, who dropped out right before we began rehearsals. During our first read-through, I mentioned that I love filmmaking, and could help out with the project, and so here we are.

VF: So tell me a little about yourself. I know you're an actor, but how did you get into film making? Where did you study and where do you get your inspiration to make films?

Will: I love movies. Through my years of film-watching, certain films and directors have influenced my views on this particular form of art. Unfortunately, I've never taken any major film courses, and have basically educated myself through books, and once again, watching films.

If I had to pick two biggest inspiration/influences on me, they would be: Clint Eastwood (I love his energy, and true love of film), and the great Ridley Scott (a master storyteller, and a visual genius).

It is a cliche to list films that have inspired you, but here are some that have made a life-long impression on me, and set me on this path: Jaws, Kingdom Of Heaven, Blade Runner, Schindler's List, Gran Torino.

VF: Is this your first documentary? I love your sense of humor. What was the process like in working on this project?

Will: I've directed several documentaries in High School and College. My favorite one was on Violence in Films. I knew that it was such a lackluster project that me and my co-director decided to "just do it," and actually ended up with a pretty decent, informative and pretty funny piece of film. We've thrown everything into that film, except the kitchen sink. That was many moons ago, but nonetheless the memory of making that film stuck with me.

The process of working on this project... Hmm... It was interesting. Once I found out that some of the excerpts were needed to be posted on the website, my director, playwright had to scramble and get together for a quick taping (about an hour long), which was edited down to about seven minutes, so that something...anything could be submitted. Once we had our first, nearly-full cast rehearsal I was able to do more interviews and tape some of the rehearsal. To be perfectly honest, this project has been re-edited about five times, last one being the day it was handed in. Even after that, working on it has been such a fun ride that I didn't want it to end.

VF: How was it directing a short film with your fellow actors, playwright and director?

Will: Cast and Crew have been very receptive to the idea of participating in this project. Everyone had a lot to say, and I've captured quite a few memorable moments, a lot of which ended up on the cutting room floor. I had to stay within the 12-minute limit, and still wish some of them could have made it into the film. I think, when making a documentary, one should definitely create and stay within a certain structure, but remember to allow people to be real and tell stories and anecdotes that would contribute to the film's effect. This was an interesting, and sometimes a challenging shoot, but I am very grateful that I've had this experience and was able to participate in the Video Diaries Project.

VF: What do you expect the audience to walk away with after seeing your film?

Will: I think the audiences will get the sense of how much fun it is to be an artist, and to participate in projects like "It's Greek To Me." I think GREEK DELIGHT is energetic and fun, and hopefully will intrigue, excite and entice audiences to come and see the play performed on-stage.

VF: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Are you a native New Yorker?

Will: The beauty of film as an art form, I think is the ability to combine all of the random pieces to create a coherent whole, and make it watchable and entertaining in the process. Film is a way to free oneself, and to allow people experience your vision and your ideas.

I am originally from Russia. I've arrived to the US in September of 1991, and have resided in New Jersey ever since.

Click here to buy tickets to see IT'S GREEK TO ME by Shelly Bromberg

Series F in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, July 30th at 5pm

At the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC.

Watch the Short Film: Greek Delight!

Love For Beginners - Diary Journal #1 by Cesar Abella

2011-07-25T00:18:00.000-04:00

I've asked the artists involved in the Strawberry One-Act Festival to keep a Diary Journal to record their experiences while working on their play. Here is the 1st entry for Cesar Abella, playwright for LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, which will be featured in the festival on Saturday, July 30th at 3pm in Series E at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC. For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com

I’m not from New York. I feel like this is a good preamble to everything and discussing Love for Beginners’ long trip to the Hudson Guild stage. Everything in getting the play up for The Riant Theatre’s Strawberry One-Act Festival is worthy of a play in and of itself, but the journey will make the first (and hopefully not last) performance this Saturday mean that much more.

I live in San Francisco, and when I applied to the festival, I really didn’t think about the logistics of putting up a show across the country. When I got the acceptance email, I was beyond ecstatic – I mean, any playwright would lie if they said that they didn’t think about having at least one of their shows go up in New York – and for me, it was a very big deal. But then I realized that I was pretty much responsible for getting the show up myself. At first, this didn’t seem like such a big deal – I’m really used to putting up my own shows, as I did throughout college. So, it was like, okay, I’m directing it, all I need to do is find some actors online and fly in two weeks ahead of time and spend that time rehearsing. Easy, right?

Wrong. Obviously. I realized I couldn’t stay with a friend of mine for three weeks, and then I figured that finding a director to work with the actors that I found online and actually, you know, direct would be the best idea. But, of course, there were setbacks with that – the original director, talented person she is, was way above working for nothing on this show, and four of the original actors had, like, a thousand conflicts. It was a stressful few weeks for sure, but everything worked out and I found Jonathan Chang, my amazing director, and he recast the four roles that were missing. It’s incredibly exciting to hear from the rehearsal reports that the cast is getting along amazingly and that there is real chemistry.

So, tomorrow, I fly out to New York. I’m excited and scared, to quote a particular musical, to see the progress and watch how Jonathan and the cast have transformed the material (it was Jonathan’s idea to set Love for Beginners in the 1990s, which is amazing because I’m a child of the ‘90s and a huge pop culture nerd about it – I did have to rewrite a few lines, but I’m so frickin’ excited about it all!). It will be my first show in New York, and on Saturday, when I hear the music start and see the lights go up, I know that all the stress and pounds lost and nerves and struggle to get the money together and all that will have been worth it.

Click here to buy tickets now.

The Riant Theatre : The Strawberry One-Act Festival Theme Song Competition

2011-07-06T00:55:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Strawberry One-Act Festival Theme Song Competition

Click the link for rules on how to enter the competition.

Listen to these Theme Song Entries for the Competition

Entry #1 by John Passadino Click the link to watch the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYXxnkizhNM&feature=player_embedded#at=11

Entry #2 by Shelly A. Bromberg:

Click the link to watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB1N2OcPfNc

Journal Entry #1 for WEIGHT by Kerri Campbell Evans

2011-07-03T14:57:00.001-04:00

July 2^nd 2011 -------The Countdown To WEIGHT begins….

For some reason the first of July marked my official countdown/freak out to WEIGHT. While preparation has been underway since the day I found out I was accepted into The Strawberry One-Act Festival I now have this panic feeling of how can I fit more hours in a day between working full-time and rehearsing.

Yes, the life of an artist seems to always be that constant battle between our full-time jobs and our full-time dreams.

WEIGHT has been a gift in my life, its acceptance into Strawberry One-Act Festival has been a blessing, and its journey to the stage has been oh so rewarding. When I began this acting /writing journey I remember saying to my mother. “I just wish I knew that all of my sacrifices would pay off someday” and she simply answered, “but if you knew the ending, the journey would not be as rewarding…enjoy the journey Kerri.” So that is what I am doing….

When I wrote the first draft of WEIGHT I asked my amazingly talented and beautiful friend Larissa, “Hey, do you mind reading this?” I never once mentioned that I wrote it. As Larissa read I watched her facial expressions, hoping they would give a glimpse into her thoughts. After she finished she pushed the script away and asked, “Did you write this? And if you did, can I direct it?” See that is how Larissa and I work. We feed off each other’s creativity, and the product is indescribable. Maybe Larissa was my best gift from Grad School, in addition to my immense growth as an actress.

Our rehearsals thus far have been amazing. Table reading and improving has given way to fleshed out characters. As the writer and an actor in WEIGHT, I now fully understand where the writing stops and the acting starts. It is kind of a mind trip at times. “No this is not how I intended the line, but it feels so right.” The actor inside me started winning when I threw away the lines I created and lived in the moment as the character I had formed. I felt her struggles, I felt her joy, and I felt her simple everyday life. I discovered parts of her that I, a fairly new writer had failed to understand during the conception of WEIGHT. There is the growth; there is the beauty of art.

I am almost positive that I will always be an actor/writer. My actor self often helps lead to my writer creations, and to be perfectly honest it works for me and I would not have it any other way.

Our next rehearsal is Wednesday and we begin the task of blocking and are “supposed to be” off book. I need to work on memorizing my lines!! So I should say goodbye for now. I never thought memorizing lines I created would be just as difficult as memorizing other playwright’s lines. Yep, not one of my acting strengths, although I do find comfort in knowing if I drop a line I only have myself to answer to.

Kerri Campbell Evans/Playwright of WEIGHT

See WEIGHT in the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Saturday, July 30th at 7pm

At the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC, between 9th & 10th Avenue.

For tickets go to www.theriantheatre.com

Or call 646-623-3488

Journal Entry #1 for THE PRENUP by Charles Gershman

2011-06-30T12:41:00.002-04:00

I'm very excited about our upcoming Strawberry One-Act Festival, which will be presented at the Hudson Guild Theatre from July 28th - August 7, 2011. In preparation of the festival I've asked the playwrights to keep a Journal of the process to share with our readers. I think it will be very rewarding to learn about the process and the journey the artists take to getting their play performance ready for the festival. I hope that you will join us on that journey. Share your thoughts. And if you're in town you can also check out screening of The Video Diaries Project on Monday, July 18th at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, 2 Avenue of the Americas at 6:30pm or Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at Time Warner Headquarters, Entrance on 58th St. between Columbus Circle and 9th Avenue. For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com

Here's Journal Entry #1 for The Prenup by Charles Gershman.

***

Thursday, June 30, 10:30 am

So. This is the beginning. Finally, we have our cast all set. After seeing more than 45 people audition, we’ve got Sergio Castillo on board in the role of Patrick, Jessica DiGiovanni as Elyse, and George Ridgeway as Mr. Alberts. Jim Fagan (the director) and I couldn’t be more excited. Monday night (6/27) we had our first rehearsal at Roy Arias studios, in a room about the size of a closet. We made introductions, signed contracts, reviewed our schedule, and read through the script. Jim, whose discussion-prompting skills are better than those of many TAs I had in college, led us brilliantly through some textual issues.

I feel particularly blessed, not just to be in this festival, but to be working with a director who’s got not only vision and experience, but has a wonderful way with people. He makes everyone feel comfortable and is utterly respectful of everyone’s work, which is simply awesome.

In the days ahead we hope to secure a stage manager (Jim’s interviewing someone today), and we’ve also talked about including live music in the performance, which would be super-fun. To help deflect costs, we may hold a fundraiser.

Enough rambling for now. The short story is that while there’s a lot ahead of us in the coming month, we’re off to a good start. I’ll be posting new updates periodically throughout the process -- so, more to come soon. Thanks for reading.

Until the next post,

Charles Gershman
Playwright/Producer

The Riant Theatre : The Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival July 11, 2011

2011-06-28T02:13:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival July 11, 2011

Join us at the Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Monday, July 11th at 7pm as we present the PIONEER OF THE ARTS AWARD to Broadway Producer ALDO SCROFANI (FAT PIG - October 2011) and Screenwriter GERALYN LUCAS (Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy - Lifetime Movie) at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th St, NYC. For tickets go to http://www.therianttheatre.com/item.php?id=105

The Riant Theatre : The Strawberry One-Act Festival Theme Song Competition

2011-06-21T23:57:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Strawberry One-Act Festival Theme Song Competition

The deadline for Submissions for the competition is July 7, 2011.
Prize: $500.00 and the finalist get to perform at the Hudson Guild in August.

The Riant Theatre : The Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival July 11, 2011

2011-06-20T20:19:00.001-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Launch Party for the Strawberry One-Act Festival July 11, 2011

Join us as we honor:
ALDO SCROFANI, Broadway Producer (FAT PIG October 2011)
and GERALYN LUCAS, Screenwriter (WHY I WORE LIPSTICK TO MY MASTECTOMY on Lifetime) with The PIONEER OF THE ARTS AWARD for Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in the Arts
Tickets are now available at www.therianttheatre.com

The Launch Party for the

Strawberry One-Act Festival

Monday, July 11, 2011

At the Hudson Guild Theatre

441 West 26th Street, NYC Between 9th & 10th Avenue

6:30pm - Meet & Greet
7:00pm - Awards Ceremony & Discussion with Honorees
8:00pm - Reception with Food & Drinks

Entertainment provided by jazz vocalist Boncellia Lewis with Roger Anderson on piano.

The Riant Theatre : The Best Plays From The Strawberry One-Act Festival: Volume Six

2011-06-20T20:04:00.001-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Best Plays From The Strawberry One-Act Festival: Volume Six
This book is available on our online bookstore. Click the link above to buy now!

The Riant Theatre : The Video Diaries Project Excerpts

2011-06-20T20:00:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Video Diaries Project Excerpts

The Riant Theatre : The Video Diaries Project

2011-06-15T02:12:00.001-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Video Diaries Project

Riant Theatre Mixer - Networking Event

2011-06-15T02:05:00.001-04:00

Riant Theatre Mixer - Networking Event

Strawberry One-Act Festival - Video Interviews with the playwrights actors and directors

2011-06-11T23:45:00.000-04:00

Strawberry One-Act Festival - Video Interviews with the playwrights actors and directors

The Fast Track Project - Article by Stephanie Spohrer

2011-06-07T04:14:00.003-04:00

The Fast Track Project - Article by Stephanie Spohrer

Do you have what it takes to get your project green lighted?

Writing a play, directing and acting all take craft, consideration and time. What happens when time is eliminated from the equation? The Fast Track Project! Together Playwrights, Directors and Actors will come together to write, direct and perform in a three minute play. The catch: this will all be accomplished in an hour timeframe.

My experiences in this kind of collaborative effort have been with what many people call 24 hour theatre. In those circumstances you are given 24 hours to write, direct and perform your play. What makes The Fast Track different? You are given one hour to prepare! The theatre artists will be given a topic to write about within minutes of meeting each other. They will then find out they have an hour to write, direct and rehearse their piece. Everyone will then come together and present their finished products in front of one another.

The way I can describe this project is exciting and freeing. You are working closely with other theatre artists having to think on your toes in a limited time frame. It is a good exercise and learning experience for any theatre artist. Everyone brings to the table their own expertise and ideas as a starting point and that is where the magic comes from. It is extremely rewarding to see what you are capable of producing in a collaborative environment.

Are you an eager, passionate theatre artist? Then come and board The Fast Track! In the end a few groups will get the green light and their projects will move on to a future event of featured short plays, where they will be able to lengthen their original piece.

Join: The Riant Theatre

June 16^th 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

Entry Fee: $12 in order to participate in the Fast Track

12 Desbrosses St., NYC

Between Hudson & Greenwich Streets
Trains: #1, A, C, E to Canal Street.

To register in advance go to: http://www.therianttheatre.com/index.php?n=the_fast_track_project

The Fast Track Project

2011-06-02T21:07:00.001-04:00

The Fast Track Project

The Riant Theatre : The Strawberry One-Act Festival Theme Song Competition

2011-06-02T21:06:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Strawberry One-Act Festival Theme Song Competition

Contest Rules:

Video contest for the Strawberry One-Act Festival Theme Song. Singers/Composers will submit a video recording of their Original Theme Song being performed by a singer(s).
The maximum running time for the song is 3 minutes.
Submission deadline is July 7, 2011*.
All video submissions will be posted on The Riant Theatre’s website and YouTube Channel.
The public will be asked to vote online for their favorite song. The top 38 songs will be played during the festival on select days from July 28^th – July 31^st. The theatre audiences will vote and the songs with the most votes will advance to the Semi-Finals. The top 8 songs will be performed live during the Finals on Friday, August 5^th at 7pm and Saturday, August 6^th at 1pm at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26^th Street, NYC.
The top 4 Songs will advance to the Award Ceremony & Performance on Sunday, August 7^th at 2pm at the Hudson Guild Theatre. The Winner will receive an Award and $500.00.
Questions? Please write us at RiantTheatre@gmail.com
The Submission Form & Waiver Form is available Here for download. Please be sure that every participating performer (i.e.: singer, videographer, editor, etc…) completes a Waiver Form.

Thank you for participating in the Strawberry One-Act Festival Theme Song Competition! We look forward to receiving your videos and experiencing your talents!
You can follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RiantTheatre and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/RiantTheatre

* Contest closing date may be extended or reduced by Producers if necessary – announcement to participating entries will be made.

Nicole Renee Harris - Strawberry

2011-06-01T21:29:00.000-04:00

An OBAMA "Love Story"

2011-05-30T14:22:00.000-04:00

A Special Thanks to our Sponsors for the Mixer held May 19th

2011-05-26T21:15:00.000-04:00

The Riant Mixer Networking Event was a success.

Special thanks to the Casting Directors who conducted the Audition Workshops: Ellyn Marshall from Orpheus Group Casting, Allynn Simon from Kipperman Casting Inc., Liz Ortiz-Mackes from Casting Solutions, Richard Reed from Beth Melsky Casting and Lawrence Evans, casting consultant to theatre companies.

The performances by our line up of singers was superb. They included: Janice Picconi, Vincent Lipari, Jelani Delgado, Charles Spuires, Lady Victory, Whitney Stone, Chris Gillian, Franco and Aneesha Lasaan.

Special thanks to our Food Sponsors. The food was delicious. Please take the time and check them out when you're in town. You won't be disappointed. They include:

Billie's Black Catering, 271 West 119th Street, NYC, 212-280-2248
www.billiesblack.com (Catfish Strips)
Marios Pizzeria, 596 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY 11590, 516-997-3000 www.mariospizzaonline.com (Pizza)
Chili's Westbury, 1205 Corporate Drive, Westbury, NY 11590, 516-222-7001
www.chilis.com (Buffalo Wings, Tostada Chips & Salsa)
iL Mattone Restaurant, 413 Greenwich St., NYC 10013, 212-343-0030 (Pasta Dish)
Corrado - Bread & Pastry, 35 Christopher Street, West Village, 212-242-3535
(Porcupine Cake, Red Velvet Cupcakes and German Chocolate Brownies)

Special thanks to our Gift Bag Sponsors:

The Brownstone, 24 East 125th Street, Harlem, NY 212-996-7980 (10% Discount Card)
Harlem Vintage, A Wine Experience, 2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd @ 121st St, NYC 10027
www.HarlemVintage.com (10% Discount Card)
Harlem Arts Alliance, 229 West 135th St, NY, NY 10030, 347-735-4280
www.harlemaa.org ($5 off HAA Individual Membership)

Our next Riant Mixer will be on Thursday, June 16th from 6PM-9PM
12 Desbrosses Street, between Hudson & Greenwich Street. 1 Block South of Canal St.
Trains: #1, A, C, E to Canal Street. Walk west to Hudson Street and then South of Canal St.

Strawberry One-Act Festival in Manhattan, NYC

2011-05-25T21:25:00.000-04:00

Strawberry One-Act Festival in Manhattan, NYC

See the plays that have been selected for the 20th Season of the Strawberry One-Act Festival.
Tickets are now on sale.
July 28th - August 7, 2011

At the Hudson Guild Theatre
441 West 26th Street, NYC
Between 9th & 10th Avenue.
www.therianttheatre.com
646-623-3488

Singers Franco, Lady Victory, Vincent Lipari, Samuel Kobina, Janice Picconi and Charles Jermaine to perform at the Riant Mixer on May 19th; 6PM-9PM

2011-05-15T23:21:00.001-04:00

Samuel Kobina

Lady Victory

Vincent Lipari

Janice Picconi

Charles Jermaine

IndieGoGo - the best kept secret to helping you raise money to produce your show!

2011-05-09T01:39:00.000-04:00

Producing theatre can be a challenge to anyone these days. Especially if you are an independent artist considering producing your own show. After taking into consideration all the factors of contracts, choosing a theatre, selecting your designers and casting your show, many of you may want to know how you can raise the money to make your dreams a reality? Recently I attended a panel discussion on Producing Theatre held at Space-On-White in Manhattan. One of the panelists was Slava Rubin, Chief Executive Officer of IndieGoGo (www.indieGoGo.com), a company which provides anyone with an idea - creative, cause-related, or entrepreneurial - the tools to effectively build a campaign and raise money.

They provide the tools for you to build your campaign but you need to put in some legwork crafting your story and doing community building and outreach to get it all started. They provide integrated social media tools, and the more you use them (it's what they like to call DIWO, or Do-It-With-Others) the sooner you will land you on their homepage, in the blog, or in their social media outreach and press.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

What is IndieGoGo?
IndieGoGo is a collaborative way to fund ideas.

IndieGoGo provides an easy online platform for anyone to raise more money, from more people, faster than otherwise possible. With IndieGoGo you can turn your passion into a funding campaign, promote your idea, engage a fan base, and get your passion funded. We provide all the tools you need to build a campaign and share it with the world.

How does IndieGoGo work?
Anyone can create a campaign, where you tell your story, set a funding goal, and offer perks to contributors. You can use IndieGoGo to create your campaign, share it with your network, engage fans, track information about contributors, and collect money. IndieGoGo provides excellent customer service for creating your campaigns and collecting money. We also promote campaigns through social media and press outreach, as well as on our homepage, in our newsletters, and on our blog.

Why does IndieGoGo exist?
We started IndieGoGo to democratize funding. Now anyone with a great idea has the opportunity to share his or her campaign and raise money to turn a passion into a reality.

Who can use IndieGoGo?
IndieGoGo is open for anyone to use, with any type of campaign - creative, cause-related, or entrepreneurial.

Can campaigns use IndieGoGo for equity investments?
No. All campaigns on IndieGoGo are contribution based.

Does it cost anything to create a campaign?
It doesn't cost anything to create a campaign. There is a 4% fee on the money you raise when you meet your funding goal. 3rd party processing fees also apply.

Where is IndieGoGo located?
IndieGoGo is based in the United States, but we have members in 179 countries and counting. You can post and fund a campaign from any country as long as you have a valid bank account or credit card.

What is a campaign profile?
A campaign profile is the home of your funding campaign. Your profile includes your campaign pitch (an image or video and written story), and any ongoing updates and pictures you want to share with your contributors and fans. Your profile page is where people make contributions, share comments, and pick up widgets to share the campaign.

Who owns the rights to my campaign or idea?
You do. You keep 100% ownership of all the ideas included in your campaign on IndieGoGo.

What do I need to create a campaign?
You need a thumbnail image (that is what people see for your campaign throughout IndieGoGo), a pitch image or video (this is what people see when they open your campaign itself), a clearly identified funding goal, and a pitch story about your campaign. It's also recommended to have perks with your campaign, as well as team members helping you to spread the word.

What are perks?
You can offer perks in exchange for different contribution levels in your campaign. Perks enable you to engage fans, build trust, and provide an opportunity for more people to get involved. You can offer one-of-a-kind experiences, special acknowledgments, or limited supply products. Learn More.

What do I include in my pitch?
Cover the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your campaign. Be honest, transparent, and authentic.

How do I get my campaign on IndieGoGo's homepage, in the blog, or featured in the press?
The more you use IndieGoGo's share tools, comments, and updates (see below), and the sooner you gain traction with funding, the more likely it is you will be featured on our homepage, in the blog, or in our press outreach. We feature campaigns based on their GoGoFactor. The GoGoFactor is a combination of your activity updating and sharing your campaign, and the traction you are gaining externally with contributions. When your GoGoFactor goes up, so does the likelihood you will be featured.

What if I don't meet my funding goal?
If you don't meet your funding goal, you still keep the money you raise with your campaign. IndieGoGo charges a 9% fee on campaigns with unmet funding goals.

For more information on IndieGoGo and how to get started visit their website at www.IndieGoGo.com

Stephanie Spohrer, opens in "Liars and Lovers" at the Arena Players

2011-05-02T01:21:00.000-04:00

Stephanie Spohrer, (pictured below) who joined the Riant Theatre as an intern this season, is currently appearing in Liars and Lovers at the Arena Players, through May 22nd. Please check it out and show your support.

'Liars and Lovers' debuts at Arena Players

Published: April 26, 2011 6:13 PM
By STEVE PARKS steve.parks@newsday.com

Alex and Greg are students at a state university sharing an off-campus apartment. They also share an acquaintance with an attractive blonde. Greg has a romance lit class with Cindy, who's been dating Alex for two months. Alex is confident that tonight's the night. He wants Greg to disappear.

So far, you might mistake "Liars and Lovers," an absorbing new play by Plainview author/actor Thomas Tafero, for a romantic comedy. But you'd be wrong about this psychodrama making its world premiere at Arena Players.

"Liars and Lovers" was developed in workshop under the direction of Frederic De Feis for about two months. (Meanwhile, Tafero played a lead role in another Arena world premiere, "One White Crow," which closed in March.) Tafaro's dialogue is authentic college contemporary -- minus the spoken-word texting shorthand. It brims with intelligence masking naiveté.

Alex and Greg have known each other since high school. But they're not friends. With Alex running errands for their date, Cindy arrives at the apartment to find Greg waiting for her. We learn, with Cindy, of Alex's school-bully past. He once beat Greg so severely that Alex was sent to reform school. Young Alex had reason to act out. Abandoned in infancy by his father, he was orphaned at age 5 by his mother's terminal drug addiction. A foster mom abused him sexually.

Greg was raised by religious cultists who equipped him with demented social skills.
Cindy, while less forthcoming in her psychological profile, nevertheless confesses that she's a virgin on this night she intends to spend with Alex.

As the least dramatically developed character, Cindy presents a challenge for Stephanie Spohrer. Reacting to Greg's self-serving insinuations and Alex's transparent lust, Spohrer displays a convincing mix of post-pubescent daring and doubt. Michael Gilbert's Greg exerts such maniacal passive aggressiveness that we want to strangle him. As Alex, Evan Donnellan almost does. He allows us to glimpse the bully who's been all but shackled by his roommate's mind games.

Cindy is on to Greg when she observes that he's jealous -- not of Alex, but of her. But it's no gay "bromance." What the guys have, Cindy observes, isn't love. "It's codependency."

WHAT World premiere of "Liars and Lovers," by Thomas Tafero

WHEN | WHERE Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m., through May 22 at Arena Players second stage, 296 Rte. 109, East Farmingdale

INFO $20-$25; arenaplayers.org, 516-293-0674

The Riant Theatre Upcoming Events - The Riant Mixer - May 19th 6PM-9PM

2011-04-27T21:03:00.000-04:00

Success in the Arts Entertainment Conference Saturday, April 16th 10am - 5pm

2011-04-16T07:46:00.000-04:00

Success in the Arts Entertainment Conference, Sheraton Laguardia East Hotel 135-20 39th Avenue, Flushing, NY. Saturday 4/16 from 10am-5pm

Jennifer Hudson - Don't Look Down (Dancing With The Stars) LIVE

2011-04-15T22:19:00.000-04:00

Jennifer Hudson - Feeling Good (Dancing With The Stars)

2011-04-15T22:18:00.000-04:00

David Garrett - Walk this way - Dancing with the stars - Week 4 Results ...

2011-04-13T23:09:00.000-04:00

David Garrett brought the house down playing his violin on DWTS. The dancing was on point too! This was a totally awesome moment when all the elements of great music and dancing came together to create a powerful exciting performance!

Interview with Michael Jones currently appearing in A Night With Pearl Cleage's Women at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe

2011-04-13T02:42:00.000-04:00

Last Friday I had the pleasure of seeing one of our Alumni, Michael Jones in the play A Night With Pearl Cleage’s Women at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, located at 236 East 3rd Street in NYC. The show was presented by Juneteenth Legacy Theatre and Sugar Valley Theatricals. It was a delightful evening of theatre that takes you back in time to 1898, when freed slaves claimed the Kansas plains as their new home, and to 1930, when Harlem was the bastion for black artistic and intellectual freedom in A Night With Pearl Cleage’s Women, an adaptation of scenes from “Flyin West” and “Blues For an Alabama Sky”, that tells a story of love, betrayal, revenge and redemption. I had a moment to interview Michael about his experience working on the show.

Van: Michael, it was good to see you in a powerful and charming play Blues For an Alabama Sky. What was it like working on this play?

Michael: It was great, especially the time period. Once I read the play, I was determined to get the part of Leland. It was great working with this cast and the director.

Van: How did you get involved with this production? Did you have to audition? If yes, what was the experience like?

Michael: I didn't have to audition initially. I was invited to the callback. This is my third production with Juneteenth Legacy Theatre. The audition was great! I got to read with Bryan Webster, who is also the co-producer, and our characters basically locked horns at the audition, which was a good thing for the play.

Van: I know the director Rome Neal is a multiple AUDELCO Award winner and you've also received an AUDELCO Award. What was it like to work with Rome?

Michael: This is my third production with Rome, second as a director, and first as also the lighting designer. Rome's style reflects his insight into characters and the meaning behind the play. I enjoyed the experience.

Van: The role of Leland, which you played with a smooth southern charm, was endearing. Leland comes from a strong religious background and some recent events that he's had to deal with in his life effect him greatly. How was it working on this role? Can you discuss a little bit about Leland beliefs and some of the things he's gone through that shaped his views?

Michael: I really enjoyed playing the character. I had to look at his values, his boundaries, and what he wants ultimately. Leland's the type of character that believes that a man should be with a woman-- no ifs, ands, or buts about it. He recently lost his wife and child during child-bearing and is hoping to fill that void with the main character, Angel. It was pretty intriguing. He's unlike me in many ways, yet his convictions to whatever he believes, we're the same in that way. However, I feel that we differ in that, he seems to have tunnel vision about certain issues that I don't.

Van: Did you have to work with a dialect coach or did the southern accent come easily to you?

Michael: I studied several Southern dialects pretty thoroughly. I started out with a Forrest Gump-type cadence to my speech. But eventually added more charm and poise to the character.

Van: The play takes place in the 1930s in Harlem and deals with the Prohibition Era, the Depressions, Planned Parenthood and Gay Bashing? How was it researching the time period and the various issues of the play?

Michael: It's funny cause I just finished a play called, "The Hunch" which was set in the same era. I enjoyed several things about that era; the clothing, the artists, and some of their ways. It was intriguing learning what was acceptable at the time, what was unlawful at the time, and people's mindsets.

Van: You're working with a wonderful cast: you have Patricia R. Floyd, who has extensive credits. Some people may remember her from her recurring role on Law & Order as Judge Rochelle Desmond, as well as T. Renee Mathis and Bryan Webster. What was it like working with the cast and what was your most memorable experience?

Michael: This cast is powerful. It's like playing basketball with Jordan or LeBron. Bryan and Pat are gonna bring it, so you gotta come ready. And T. Renee' is like a sister to me, so working with her was a blast. I think what I'll remember most is how Bryan and Pat came with their A-game early on in rehearsals.

Van: Lorna Littleway, who is the Founder/Producing Director for Juneteenth Legacy Theatre did a wonderful job with the adaptation of Pearl Cleage's women. I know the show is running until April 16th. Do you have any other projects lined up after that?

Michael: I currently have a play touring in New York schools called, "In My Skin,” that I want to film. And I just auditioned for a new project, Pat Moran and Associates, who are best known for casting the HBO show, "The Wire.”

Van: That’s great Michael and I wish you the best with those projects, but before we go, what advice can you give to actors working in the theatre?

Michael: My advice would be to work hard. If you respect the craft, continue to sharpen your tools, and persevere. And read a lot of plays, and watch a lot of great movies.

Van: Thank you Michael. Well you read it here. If you haven’t seen A Night With Pearl Cleage’s Women please run to the theatre. It closes April 16th.

Show times are Thursdays and Fridays, 7PM and Saturdays, 3PM. Tickets can be ordered online, Nuyorican or call 212-780-9386. Reserved prices are: $20.00, $15.00/seniors & students; at the door: $25.00. Thursday shows are $10.00.

This is the final weekend, April 14-16.

Nuyorican is located at 236 E. 3rd St., between Avenues

B and C. Travel directions available on Nuyorican website.

Cast: Joresa Blount as Minnie Dove and Miss Leah; *Bryan Webster (Standing rear) as Frank Charles and Guy Jacobs; *T. Renee Mathis (seated) as Angel Allen and Fannie Dove; Michael Jones as Leland Cunningham (Standing in the foreground); *Patricia R. Floyd (Standing rear) as Delia Patterson and Sophie Dove. (*AEA)

The Riant Theatre : The Youth Empowerment Awards

2011-04-11T22:00:00.002-04:00

The Riant Theatre : The Youth Empowerment Awards
THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AWARDS are given to Teenagers enrolled in college or participating in our Mentor/Internship Program.

Your Donation Can Make A Difference: If you would like to make a donation to be earmarked toward the Youth Empowerment Awards you can do so and your donation will be tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law.

In addition, the Riant acknowledges an educator who has contributed to enhancing the lives of our youth.

Past Recipients of the EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD, which is given to an Educator who has demonstrated Outstanding Leadership in Educating our Youth are:

Dr. Suzanne D. Jones (June 19, 2010)
Dr. David A.G. Johnson (February 18, 2011)

TOURING OPPORTUNITIES:

The musical DREAM BABIES by Van Dirk Fisher, is about teenagers living in foster care while attending Royal Academy High School and their counselors, teachers and mentors who inspire them to achieve greatness. This show is an excellent musical that can be booked for Fundraising Events. If you are interested in booking DREAM BABIES contact us at RiantTheatre@gmail.com.
.
They say, "It takes a Village to raise a child." Help us make a difference with a donation of as little as $5

The Riant Theatre : ALLYNN SIMON Commercial Audition Workshop

2011-04-11T21:43:00.001-04:00

The Riant Theatre : ALLYNN SIMON Commercial Audition Workshop at the Riant Mixer - Networking Event

ALLYNN SIMONS is a casting director at one of New York's top commercial casting offices, Kipperman Casting, Inc. She casts all type of commercials from on-camera to print to voice overs. Recent clients include: Ruby Tuesday, Sci-Fi, MTV's TRUTH campaign, Sony, First Response, Subway, Verizon and Old Spice. Allynn teaches all over New York City and loves meeting new actors who show a tremendous amount of passion for their craft.

Seeing: Cold readings of commercial copy provided at the workshop.
May 19, 2011 from 7pm - 9pm. To register click the link above.

Feature Films, Commercials & Theatre Workshops

2011-04-11T14:17:00.000-04:00

FEATURE FILM, COMMERICAL & THEATRE WORKSHOPS WITH RICHARD REED, ELLYN MARSHALL, LIZ ORTIZ-MACKES and LAWRENCE EVANS
REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR OUR AUDITION WORKSHOPS: These Casting Directors cast for film, tv, commercials and theatre. Richard Reed from Beth Melsky Casting; Liz Ortiz-Mackes from Casting Solutions; Ellyn Marshall from Orpheus Group Casting; and Lawrence Evans, a casting consultant who cast for theatre for the NY International Fringe Festival, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, The Negro Ensemble Company, New Federal Theatre, Black Spectrum Theatre and the Billie Holiday Theatre to name a few.

* May 19, 2011 from 7PM - 9PM. This is not a panel workshop. Actors will meet one on one with the Casting Directors in a separate studio and do cold readings from sides provided at the workshop and/or prepared monologues, receive feedback and career advice. Class size is limited to 14.

* Individual Workshop: $35

* All 4 Workshops: $102

* Registration must be done in advance online. You may call 2 days before the workshop for last minute registration inquiries.

Click here Register for the Workshops with Casting Directors.

Tyrese Gibson: Master of his Environment

2011-04-09T21:13:00.000-04:00

Riant Theatre Mixer - Networking Event

2011-04-09T20:53:00.000-04:00

Riant Theatre Mixer - Networking Event

The Riant Theatre Mixer - Networking Event

DATE: May 19, 2011

TIME: 6PM - 9PM

ADMISSION: FREE before 7PM; $10 After 7PM (Cash Only at the Door)

LOCATION: 12 Debrosses Street, NYC. Between Hudson & Greenwich Streets. One block south of Canal Street.

DIRECTIONS: Trains: #1, A,C,E, Q,W,R to Canal St. Walk west to Hudson Street then 1 block South of Canal St.

Highlights:

BUSINESS CARD and PICTURE & RESUME EXCHANGE
MEET THE PLAYWRIGHTS AND DIRECTORS for the Strawberry One-Act Festival 2011 (July/August)
FEATURE FILM, COMMERICAL & THEATRE WORKSHOPS WITH RICHARD REED, ELLYN MARSHALL, LIZ ORTIZ-MACKES and LAWRENCE EVANS
REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR OUR AUDITION WORKSHOPS: These Casting Directors cast for film, tv, commercials and theatre. Richard Reed from Beth Melsky Casting; Liz Ortiz-Mackes from Casting Solutions; Ellyn Marshall from Orpheus Group; and Lawrence Evans, a casting consultant who cast for theatre for the NY International Fringe Festival, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, The Negro Ensemble Company, New Federal Theatre, Black Spectrum Theatre and the Billie Holiday Theatre to name a few.
- May 19, 2011 from 7PM - 9PM. This is not a panel workshop. Actors will meet one on one with the Casting Directors in a separate studio and do cold readings from sides provided at the workshop and/or prepared monologues, receive feedback and career advice. Class size is limited to 14.
- Individual Workshop: $35
- All 4 Workshops: $102
- Registration must be done in advance online. You may call 2 days before the workshop for last minute registration inquiries.
SIGN UP FOR OPEN MIC FOR SINGERS IN ADVANCE BY EMAILING US AT RiantTheatre@gmail.com You must email us a sample of you singing on an mp3 or a link to your website or YouTube video.

Writers & Theatre Companies Forum, Monday, April 25th - Save The Date!

2011-04-08T15:35:00.001-04:00

I will be one of the guest speakers at the Writers & Theatre Companies Forum presented by the Harlem Arts Alliance on Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, 466 West 152nd Street, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. It's FREE and Open to the General Public.

Discover the Tools You Need to Get Produced
The Writers & Theatre Companies Forum

A forum and panel discussion for writers and theatre companies interested in having their work produced. The guests are Melody Brooks, Founder and Artistic Director of New Perspectives Theatre Company; Van Dirk Fisher, Founder and Artistic Director of The Riant Theatre; and Kathy Towson and Le Wilhelm, Co-Founders of RCL Playwrights Workshop. Towson is also the Founder and Managing Producer of Creative Voices Theatre Co. (15 years resident company in NYC) and Co-Founder (with Bob Blume - Executive Producer Drama Desk Awards) of Step Forward Entertainment (Management Co.). Wilhelm is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Love Creek Productions.

The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), located at 466 West 152nd Street, Manhattan. DHT has studio space that is available for rent. A tour of the studios will take place at the beginning of the meeting. Please arrive on time so you will not miss the tour.

The meeting is free to attend and open to the general public.

You must RSVP to rsvp@harlemaa.org or call 347.735.4280 if you plan to attend this meeting.

Tre Bella

2011-04-08T14:20:00.000-04:00

Alumni JoAnn Robertozzi (in the middle)

They are currently on tour. Check them out!

http://www.trebella.us

Italian American Vocal Trio :: Tre Bella

2011-04-08T14:17:00.000-04:00

Italian American Vocal Trio :: Tre Bella

Congratulations to Riant Alumni JoAnn Robertozzi who appeared in the Strawberry One-Act Festival in Table For Two in 2003. Her girl band Tre Bella is going on tour. They last appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Stage in Hollywood last year where they debut their latest single "Kisses in the Dark." Check them out.

The Riant Theatre : LOVING YOU - The Novel

2011-04-05T16:55:00.000-04:00

The Riant Theatre : LOVING YOU - The Novel

Thank you to all of my followers for buying my book.

Best to you!

Van Dirk Fisher

What Are The 3 "Ps" That Every Artist Should Live By?

2011-03-30T20:40:00.000-04:00

I’ve been asked several times for advice from actors, directors, playwrights and producers about this business we call “Show Business” and I’ve decided to write this blog to offer some insight to what I’ve learned over the years working as an actor, director, playwright, theatre producer, novelist and motivational speaker. I hope this blog is helpful. Please feel free to ask me questions and share your experiences in show business and maybe I will address your concerns and share your experiences in future blogs.

Q: What are the THREE “Ps” that every artist should live by?

A: Being Present, Prompt & Prepared. I was trained with the school of thought, while attending the High School of Performing Arts in NYC, that as an artist when we commit to a project we should be present without making excuses. The teacher or director should not have to spend time listening to an actor’s excuses for why they couldn’t be at rehearsal, they should simply be there ready to work. The second “P” is being prompt. This was a must. In fact getting there early was even better, so you could have time to take care of any personal things you needed to tend to so that at the start of the session or rehearsal you are ready to start working. The third “P” is being prepared. That means whatever was due for that particular day you made sure you were prepared to do what was expected. If that meant being off book for a particular scene you made sure you were. If that meant having your script, along with a pencil for taking notes and blocking you made sure you had a couple of pencils just in case one broke.

Q: Is it okay for an actor to accept a role in two shows that are in rehearsals at the same time?

A: I think an actor should make sure that they are not taking on too much by doing two plays at the same time. Sometimes one project can suffer, but it all depends on the actor’s skills and their ability to manage their time effectively. It’s also a good idea, if possible, to review the rehearsal schedule for both shows in advance to make sure there are no conflicts. It’s also a good idea to let the director know that you are already in a show, because the director may want an actor who is totally free, just in case there is a change in the rehearsal schedule that allows them more freedom to add or change the rehearsals if needed and possible. I know in this business an actor may have a dry period when they can’t seem to get cast in anything, and then when they do get cast it seems like everybody wants them. But I think it’s important to weigh all options before making a decision. If you accept both projects and then feel overwhelmed because it’s a lot of work, one or both of your projects may suffer for your lack of ability to give the project the attention it deserves. The other thing to think about is do you want to take a chance and burn your bridges and lose an opportunity to work with that director or anyone on that production team in the future. Sometimes actors don’t think about this. Not only can you jeopardize your ability to work with the production team in the future, but your fellow cast mates may one day also be in the position of hiring you or referring you for future work, and based on your work ethics they may decide not to.

Q: When I’m at rehearsals over a period of time I find that I make new friends and its fun to socialize. If I want to chat and catch up on what’s going on with my new friends why can’t I do that? I don’t do it often.

A: Making friends with the people you’re working with is great, but it’s also important to be focused when you’re working. While you’re busy talking you may miss something important that’s being discussed in rehearsal and your talking can also be distracting to others who are trying to listen. I think it’s best to socialized before and after rehearsals or during your breaks. Keep your focus on the work at hand. After all, that’s what you’re there for anyway, isn’t it? If not, then maybe you should find something else to do if socializing is your main focus.

Q: What if I find myself in a rehearsal and I’m not being used? Shouldn’t I be excused from rehearsal?

A: If you’re not needed in a rehearsal you should be excused, but I think it’s best to check with the Stage Manager or Director to make sure it’s alright to leave. Another approach might be to see if there’s something constructive that you can do while you are at rehearsal. For instance, can you use this designated time to work with your scene partner or learn your lines? Sitting around during a rehearsal with nothing to do can be frustrating, but I would say get used to it. Just like working on a film or on television, you will find there’s down time while they are setting up for a particular scene. I suggest you try to build good work habits on how to use your downtime constructively so you don’t feel like you’re wasting time. Bring reading material or other work that you can do while waiting. Be creative and productive. But make sure when you are called on to work that you are prepared and on point. There will be no excuse if you’ve had a few minutes to get it together and then when you are called to work you’re not ready. Also, be observant. Learn from the rehearsal process. Watch the other actors working. Get in tune with the rhythm of the play. Develop an awareness of the rest of the play and where your character fits into the story line. Remember you contribute a part to the whole play. Think of the play like a relay race, once the baton is passed on to you, you should be able to run with it and keep it moving. Not being aware of what comes before you, the rhythm and flow, you’re likely to fall and stumble and break the rhythm of the play. If you are focused during rehearsals you can absorb the necessary elements that are around you and they will feed you to help you be at your best.